A Pine Grove Township man is facing multiple felony charges after police say he broke into school property on two separate occasions and stole uniforms, food, tools, and other supplies — all while under the influence of drugs.
Austin Hall, 28, of Pine Grove, was charged on July 16, 2025, following an investigation into two break-ins at Pine Grove Area School District property that occurred earlier this year.
According to court documents filed by Pine Grove Police through Magisterial District Judge David Rossi, the first incident took place in the early morning hours of April 7. Surveillance footage showed a man, later identified as Hall, walking around the school grounds and entering two locked band trailers inside a fenced-off area around 3:00 a.m. Police say Hall was seen leaving the trailers wearing a band uniform valued at approximately $795.
Further investigation revealed that Hall had also stolen medical supplies, food, tools, and a backpack before leaving the property.
More than two months later, on June 23, school officials notified police that the same individual had returned and broken into the concession stand at the football stadium. Surveillance footage captured Hall riding a blue four-wheeler to the scene around midnight on June 22. He was later seen walking near the garage area at 12:30 a.m., then leaving and returning again — this time wearing a dress, police said.
Hall was captured on camera climbing through a concession stand window and attempting to cover interior cameras with duct tape. Police say his appearance and behavior in the June incident matched that of the April 7 break-in.
Inside the stand, Hall reportedly stole food, drinks, towels, and more medical supplies before leaving the scene on his four-wheeler around 3:45 a.m. Later that morning, he returned to the school property near the elementary school and washed his vehicle using a hose on-site.
After being identified through surveillance and contacted by police, Hall admitted to being involved in both incidents. He told investigators he struggles with drug use and often blacks out, though he admitted he had clear memories of the events in question. Hall also said he had hidden the stolen items in a wooded area known locally as the “Ghost Bridge,” but claimed they were no longer there when he returned for them.
Hall has been charged with two counts of felony burglary (not adapted for overnight accommodation, no person present), two counts of felony criminal trespass, two misdemeanor counts of theft by unlawful taking, and two misdemeanor counts of receiving stolen property. He had not yet been arraigned as of this publication.